Hints to Help You Buy the Correct Diamond Ring

We know full well about the emotion involved in picking and buying exactly the “right” ring for a momentous occasion. With no preparation it is an exercise that is 90% emotion and 10% reason and this is dangerous. It should be a 50-50 mix of excitement and thoughtful selection.

So in the hope we can load up your thoughtful side in this, we offer four more down-to-earth suggestions that if you keep them in mind, will make your selection process easier and your final choice more likely a success.

Easy to wear and practical for your lifestyle

What is easy and practical depends on your lifestyle. The higher the setting of the diamond or gemstone in your ring, the more often it will catch on things, like clothing, hair (yours, the kids or the dog). If you work behind a desk all day you may be able to wear a very high set ring, a bigger stone, a designer or art deco setting.

On the other hand, if you are a preschool teacher, baker, mechanic or work construction, you will have to wear a safe ring that won’t get caught on all the things in your daily life, keeping your hand and your memory safe at all times.

Oh yes, and remember that rings do get dirty and dirt is a killer for brilliance and fire. For more on this dirty subject, read our advice on how to keep your diamond jewelry as superb looking as the day you first put it on.

Standing up to everyday wear

Such an important ring must withstand constant everyday wear and you should keep in mind that some daily lifestyles are more dangerous for fine jewelry than others. For example, working in or near a factory that uses abrasives is dead mans gulch for jewelry. And you may not know it but one of the worst places for jewelry is an office where your ring is constantly assaulted by paper surfaces.

Paper is mildly abrasive, and constant daily contact will wear on your ring over time. In these types of situations where the ring is likely to wear, a heavier style will definitely survive better. But “heavy” doesn’t necessarily have to mean bigger. It only means a sturdy, strong band should be used. If despite all this you still prefer a setting of finer or more delicate style, give some thought to using platinum as it is harder and more durable than gold.

Holding your diamond tight

All settings are perfect and secure the day you first wear your ring. But time and lifestyle do take their toll and sometimes a setting will work loose, no matter the care or cost you paid. As a general guide and from decades of experience, we can tell you these rules of thumb and hope they will help guide you more in your selection process. While they apply most to engagement rings, they are applicable for most types and fashions of rings.

A 6 prong Tiffany is more secure than a 4 prong but if your lifestyle is fairly normal and easygoing, it doesn’t matter.

A bezel (half or full) setting is more secure than a claw setting.

Heavier is always stronger than lighter setting.

A lower profile setting is less prone to catching and impact damage

Is it beautiful to you?

Fine jewelry is a bit like fine art and a lot like your own children….beauty is in the eye of the beholder and yours is (or should be) drop-dead gorgeous in your eyes. In the end, only you can pick out that one very special ring that talks to your head and sings to your heart (and his/hers).

And quite frankly, when you find it and make it yours, it doesn’t much matter what I think, or Jane Doe down the street might say about it. It is special to you, has meaning no one else will ever know, and it will stay that way for the rest of your lifetime.

We wish you the very best in this special endeavor and stand ready to assist and help make your journey a success.

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